Is a THUMBS UP EMOJI 👍 legally binding?

[AviatorTom]

Be careful using a 👍. It may be considered legally binding.

A judge in Canada ruled that the thumbs-up emoji can represent a legally binding contract agreement

What do you think?

[GOLDFISH_smile]

It depends on how it could be interpreted. I'd say check the person's other uses of 👍. Have they used it to mean "seen/heard" in other conversations? If so then yeah it could just be a misunderstanding like they say. If they only ever use 👍 to mean "yes" "I agree" "okay" etc, but claim they didn't mean that in this one situation, well then yeah it more likely they did mean that and then just wanted to back out.

Like no u didn't sign ur name on a contract, but the common use of 👍 is known to be agreeing/affirming, so you gotta be aware of that when u use it.

Like being aware of the common use of 😏🥵🍆💦 etc, when texting someone you don't want to give the wrong idea to. Even when you think it's clear what u mean, consider if you could be misinterpreted and if so, how much would it matter? Communication is important. Emojis are also communication.

[purplepoppy]

In the case of your example then yes because it's signaling to agree to fulfil a contract. That said I would be insisting on something in writing too. Remember even a hand shake or verbal agreement is binding too.

[OlderAndWiser]

I believe this judge is absolutely wrong and the ruling should be reversed if appealed. The problem with digital communications is its ambiguity. The buyer believe that the thumbs up signified acceptance of the contract while the seller believed its thumbs up only indicated that it had received the proposal.

This ambiguity is one of the reasons I discourage texting in dating and romantic relationships.

[Sparkie460]

I don't think it should be. It's not a signed document.

You also have to be careful when solicitors call you on a recorded line. If you say " yes" at any point in the conversation you can be held liable for some contract. They just put your "yes" as an approval to say you agree to the terms.

[normandi]

That if he told he is recording the convi

[Sparkie460]

Thanks for the mho

[NotInterestedSorry]

What a f'd up judge. I wouldn't be surprised if the judge personally knows the person that was suing, because it doesn't make any sense, how he or she could see a thumbs up as legal binding.

[exitseven]

There is an old saying that goes "Don't speak when you can nod and don't nod when you can wink" An emojii is not binding.

[Anonymous]

It indicates an affirmative view to the conversation. I know in some legal situations, this can be enough to show a meeting of minds and so an agreement of sorts. I'd be surprised if the judge has managed this judgement in all situations.

[nolabels]

Sure, if used in the context of agreeing to a contract.

[BoopBoopBeep]

Oh Canada. They also made Justin Beiber. Ist don't make sense up there.

[lightbulb27]

oh man... never thought of that.

I'd say generally no, maybe in rare cases.

[LostandFound__x]

Outrageous!! I saw this. Isn’t the whole point of the law to be clear? This is very unclear.

[andreasderjuengere]

If I hold my phone upside down, then it's NOT binding :)

[provokeesmokee]

Tom, stop getting your news from Facebook. Haven't your grandkids taught you that by now?

[AviatorTom]

@provokeesmokee I'm rarely on Facebook. This is from Morning Brew, a daily news item with interesting stories.

[provokeesmokee]

Tom, stop getting your "news" from disreputable sources. It's called Google and public court records.

Get your grandkids to show you how. You gotta be safe on the internet, Tom.

[AviatorTom]

@provokeesmokee What's disreputable about Business Insider, where the news story originated?

[Andres77]

You can open your mind only so far before your brain falls out.

[Snakeyes7]

What a load of shit. I hope that judge gets disbarred. But that's not going to happen, not in my lifetime.

[PrettyGirlsAreMyKink]

Many apps have it as the default emoji, easy to accidentally click and send. For that reason, I'd say no. Plus, its hardly a contract

[AnusNdaPainus]

There are all types of contracts back in the day it used to just be a handshake

[PrettyGirlsAreMyKink]

@AnusNdaPainus And we moved past that for good reason lol

[normandi]

Agreements are always based on the intention of the parties

[Meropatrick]

In Some culture a thumbs up means fuck off. Or an obsecene gesture.

[Tigerlilly852]

I sure hope not!

[OfMiceandMen]

I agree 😎👍

[TheNurse]

Absolutely not